HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0271.525 2012-2014 Murashige, Laura
From: info @heartofpalmhi.com
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 8:48 PM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Bill 79 Committee on PSMTC July 2, 2013 9:00 am Written Testimony
Attachments: Bill 79 Written Testimony Nobriga.pdf
Bill 79 Written
Testimony Nobr...
Aloha,
Attached, please find my written testimony for the meeting regarding Bill 79 on July 2,
2013.
Mahalo,
Darcy Nobriga
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Ref. Date JUL 0 2 2013
Darcy Nobriga DBA
Double "D" Ranch
Heart of Palm Hawaii
PO BOX 72
Laupahoehoe, HI 96764
(808) 936-5371
info@heartofpalmhi.com
Hawaii County Council
Committee on Public Safety& Mass Transit
Tuesday,July 2,2013 9:00am
RE: Bill 79 Relating to the Prohibition of Genetically Modified Organisms
Committee Chair Ford and Members of the Committee:
My name is Darcy Nobriga, and I am a fourth generation rancher and farmer on the Hamakua
Coast. I raise 600 breeding cows, 120 grass-finished cattle, 520 goats, 100 sheep, as well as
farm heart of palm and kava. I also provide farm services to others. I have been raising animals
on my own since 1995, and began farming shortly after that. Ranching and farming help
support my growing family. I have a son and another child on the way.
I Strongly Oppose Bill 79 prohibiting Genetically Modified products from being propagated,
cultivated, raised or grown on the Island of Hawaii.
Recently, my goats had a medical issue called pregnancy toxemia. This means that the Hawaii
forage that they were eating was not sufficient enough to sustain them and their growing
fetuses. I lost over 30 breeding goats and 100 baby goats as a result of the lack of nutrition in
the forage in my pasture. This was over$20,000.00 in animals. There was a lot of grass in the
pasture. It just did not have the needed nutrition. The solution to saving the rest of my herd
from certain death was to buy feed from the mainland that contained the necessary protein
and energy to meet the needs of the pregnant goats. This was a short-term solution that I can't
continue to afford to do every breeding season and maintain profitability.
In order to not have this same situation happen again, and be economically feasible, I need to
plant different types of forage and energy crops. The seeds to choose from are forage brassica,
corn, alfalfa, soybeans and a few others. The different seeds need to be rotated to avoid
disease and maintain soil nutrients/quality. These seeds have been modified for tolerance to
certain diseases and conditions. Without allowing me to bring in this seed, or others like it,
through Bill 79, you are giving my animals an almost certain death, because I am unable to
currently continue buying feed at over$15.00 per 50 pound bag when each animal would need
two pounds of feed per day. Planting alternative high protein and energy forages is the only
solution that I have for my animals and with Bill 79, this would not be possible.
I ask for the Committee/Council to not pass or support Bill 79 because of the implications a Bill
like this would have on the farmers and ranchers. I also think that we should not shut out the
different types of farming and ranching operations. There is a place for all types of production
because each has their own benefits and drawbacks.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify on this very important issue.